journal
Photography: Amy Neunsinger & Gus Black
16 / 11 / 2021
This article is only available in English.
Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Vivian Leigh, and George Cukor. Nothing epitomizes glamour quite like these classic Hollywood legends, regulars of the iconic Bird Street Houses. Except this is no cinematic stage setting. Even now, this legendary area in Los Angeles is home to many celebrities, a very discreet enclave of bold-face names.
Historically, it has been one of the most desired and glamorous places to live for old Hollywood and new Hollywood. The Bird Streets has its own dining club, The Doheny Dining Club, and it is an area of quiet but very private and exclusive living.
Perched upon the Hollywood Hills is a grand 1931 Spanish Modern villa with the air of star power. Spanning over 7,200 sq. ft, the five bedroom, five bath property has been given a contemporary revival by celebrity interior designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz. The home was purchased as the Novogratz’ dream property, and they renovated it to the family’s needs and specifications. It is the biggest project they have ever taken on!
The Novogratz plan was to re-make the house (from the ground up, a total gut renovation) the most luxe and modern version of itself. Private, huge, and centrally located yet with the utmost privacy. Elegant on the inside, the landscaping elevates the project enormously.
The home is white stucco with a terracotta tile roof, steel-framed windows, and white oak floors. A central, open-air courtyard is tiled in red and white, and leads to a great room with cathedral ceilings and a custom-made fireplace mantel. Each room of the home is designed with white oak floors and oak accents against cream-colored walls, creating an airy "Italian villa"-inspired look. At the center of the house is a quaint courtyard. It's the centerpiece of the home and designed to foster the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that Californians crave (complete with Cle Tile’s encaustic tiles).
“Originally the idea was to bring it back to its original charm, but unfortunately, we had to bring it down. We rebuilt the house, doubling its size but kept the same spirit of the original house. We kept the original layout of the house and of course made the original courtyard as the focal point of the entire home.”
“We bought the house in 2019 and started a gut renovation. Unfortunately, it was right before the start of the Covid pandemic, but we got the house finished. It is perhaps the largest home restoration project we have ever done.”
“Los Angeles construction can be very challenging. Building into a hillside is not for the faint of heart and was one of the main challenges in renovation.”
Upon entering the house, the front entry opens up to a grand balcony overlooking a picturesque saltwater pool and lush greenery on 500 sq. ft, secluding the home from any paparazzi snaps. A home theater, gym, and sauna are a few of the other amenities. A total oasis.
The crisp white and neutral design of the home is juxtaposed by modern art pieces collected by the Novogratz, with the works of Diego Uchitel, Erwin Olaf, Tracy Emin, Marcel Dzarma, and Enoc Perez breathing new life to each room.
“The house is very glamorous and in a modern way. We chose art that we felt reflected that, bold, modern pieces but still with a lot of opulence and desirability.”
Text from project's press release.
Perched upon the Hollywood Hills is a grand 1931 Spanish Modern villa with the air of star power. Spanning over 7,200 sq. ft, the five bedroom, five bath property has been given a contemporary revival by celebrity interior designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz. The home was purchased as the Novogratz’ dream property, and they renovated it to the family’s needs and specifications. It is the biggest project they have ever taken on!
The Novogratz plan was to re-make the house (from the ground up, a total gut renovation) the most luxe and modern version of itself. Private, huge, and centrally located yet with the utmost privacy. Elegant on the inside, the landscaping elevates the project enormously.
The home is white stucco with a terracotta tile roof, steel-framed windows, and white oak floors. A central, open-air courtyard is tiled in red and white, and leads to a great room with cathedral ceilings and a custom-made fireplace mantel. Each room of the home is designed with white oak floors and oak accents against cream-colored walls, creating an airy "Italian villa"-inspired look. At the center of the house is a quaint courtyard. It's the centerpiece of the home and designed to foster the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that Californians crave (complete with Cle Tile’s encaustic tiles).
“Originally the idea was to bring it back to its original charm, but unfortunately, we had to bring it down. We rebuilt the house, doubling its size but kept the same spirit of the original house. We kept the original layout of the house and of course made the original courtyard as the focal point of the entire home.”
“We bought the house in 2019 and started a gut renovation. Unfortunately, it was right before the start of the Covid pandemic, but we got the house finished. It is perhaps the largest home restoration project we have ever done.”
“Los Angeles construction can be very challenging. Building into a hillside is not for the faint of heart and was one of the main challenges in renovation.”
Upon entering the house, the front entry opens up to a grand balcony overlooking a picturesque saltwater pool and lush greenery on 500 sq. ft, secluding the home from any paparazzi snaps. A home theater, gym, and sauna are a few of the other amenities. A total oasis.
The crisp white and neutral design of the home is juxtaposed by modern art pieces collected by the Novogratz, with the works of Diego Uchitel, Erwin Olaf, Tracy Emin, Marcel Dzarma, and Enoc Perez breathing new life to each room.
“The house is very glamorous and in a modern way. We chose art that we felt reflected that, bold, modern pieces but still with a lot of opulence and desirability.”
Text from project's press release.
Photos above: Amy Neunsinger
Photos above: Gus Black
For more information, visit The Novogratz website.
